Pirates' Marcell Ozuna Unfazed by Facing Ace Paul Skenes

New Pittsburgh DH confident he can compete against the two-time All-Star pitcher

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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After signing a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates, veteran slugger Marcell Ozuna is not intimidated by the prospect of facing the team's ace, Paul Skenes, during spring training. Ozuna believes he can compete against the two-time All-Star and Cy Young winner, despite Skenes' dominant numbers over the past two seasons.

Why it matters

Ozuna's willingness to take on Skenes, one of the best pitchers in baseball, signals his confidence and competitiveness as he joins the Pirates' lineup. This matchup could set the tone for the team's spring training and potentially the regular season, as Ozuna looks to provide a spark to the offense.

The details

In a recent interview, Ozuna expressed that he is not afraid to face Skenes, stating that "everyone gets scared when Paul is on the mound" but that he sees the ace as "a good pitcher" that he has to compete against. Skenes, who won the Cy Young Award in 2025 with a 1.97 ERA and 216/42 K/BB ratio, has been a dominant force for the Pirates over the past two seasons, posting a 1.96 ERA and 386/74 K/BB ratio.

  • Ozuna and Skenes are scheduled to face off in a simulated game during spring training on February 19, 2026.

The players

Marcell Ozuna

A veteran designated hitter who recently signed a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Ozuna has a career .269 batting average with 296 home runs and 948 RBIs over 13 MLB seasons.

Paul Skenes

The Pittsburgh Pirates' ace pitcher, who won the Cy Young Award in 2025 after posting a 1.97 ERA and 216/42 K/BB ratio. Skenes has been dominant for the Pirates over the past two seasons, with a 1.96 ERA and 386/74 K/BB ratio.

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What they’re saying

“Everyone gets scared when Paul is on the mound. We all know he is a superstar. We're not afraid to face him.”

— Marcell Ozuna (SportsNet)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

Ozuna's willingness to take on Skenes, one of the best pitchers in baseball, shows his confidence and competitiveness as he joins the Pirates' lineup. This matchup could set the tone for the team's spring training and potentially the regular season, as Ozuna looks to provide a spark to the offense.